Epsom conditions set to be on 'slow side of good' for start of two-day Derby festival

Epsom clerk of the course Andrew Cooper is expecting conditions to be on the "slow side of good" when the two-day Betfred Derby festival begins on Friday.

The ground was described as good all over following 3.4mm of rainfall on Tuesday afternoon – the first time the track had had rainfall since the previous Friday  – and further wet conditions are expected between now and Friday.  

Cooper described the build-up to the festival as “challenging” because of the extended dry period throughout the last few months, but an unsettled forecast over the next few days is expected to have a significant impact on the good ground.  

Speaking following the Derby draw in Epsom, Cooper said: "I can't see any scenario where we end up being any quicker than good, and there's every indication we'll be on the slow side of good across the two days.

"We all know in this game that it doesn't take a lot for things to change through the descriptions. You obviously rely on jockey opinions as to how it's riding and they're very quick to make that call. We have to react to that."

Cooper, who will take charge of his 30th Derby on Saturday, has faced a difficult few months.

He said: "I've never known such a prolonged dry period for March, April and May. It's been challenging and it hasn't been great for grass. It's been constant irrigation to get us to where we want to be.

"If we were to race at Epsom now, I'd call it good ground. That follows 3.4mm of rainfall on Tuesday afternoon, which was kind of expected. We're anticipating a similar spell of rain on Thursday morning, which then clears, but we could then have two potential showery days. Saturday, in particular, has the potential to have heavy showers."

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